luggage recommendations? - Page 2

Not if you're rock climbing; or participating in other sport where your gear is important.

True enough. If you mountain bike, and ever had your crankshaft break on a steep uphill climb, or have your frame buckle, or if you've ever flipped over and landed on your noggin, you'll appreciate (and not in the "the handstitching is exquisite sort of way") good equipment, or the lack thereof. Especially that helmet.

What's with all of this ballistic nylon crapola.? Don't you guys have any recs for class luggage.? Something to go with your carefully chosen, class clothes. Something to give to the porter at the Ritz or the Hotel du Cap or the Orient Express. You've got to put the whole package together. I mean, walking in with bullet proof, practical, synthetic luggage is sort of like strolling through Savile Row in your comfortable Nikes, isn't it? Â Now, would you really expect Â see Fred or Cary really roll in luggage?. Â C'mon, now.

1. the origional poster asked for recomendations based on a few options, all medium priced 2. luggage isn't like a tie, the quality is in its funcionality. you want it to work as much, if not more so, than be pretty. 3. tumi and briggs and riley make napa leather bags

Believe me, I know practical. But I don't want practical all the time. Even in luggage. LV makes practical rollers. I don't need it. But luggage that's worn, world weary, has been with me through the years and shows it, but still makes an impresssive entrace, that's what I would be looking for. That's what I use. And ofcourse LA guy, giving the doorman a light at the Ritz is a class act, brothers sharing a smoke. Did you use your vintage Zippo?

I imagine those of us who travel on a regular basis as part of our occupations are far more concerned about the practicality of our luggage than "making an impression" with it. You can always "make an impression" with what is inside your luggage, if necessary.

Right on LA guy, you make my point perfectly. Banged up, have had it for years, it means something to you; you've kept and not traded it in for one that works better; it's got a provenance. Like luggage should be. That's why people buy fine leather luggage, even those of us who travel alot, btw. Would you buy a ballistic nylon bill fold? I'll bet it'll last you 10 years and comes with a guarantee. But I'm talking about something else. It's not a show piece, it's not for others, it's not practical and it can be expensive. But it is quality.

Thanks, roadwarriors. I'm going to buy the Briggs & Riley. It has the best warranty, no extraneous doo-dads and gimmicks (a la travelpro), and doesn't lead (despite my best efforts) to wanting a Tumi bag (Dakota). I have, btw, used an 18" carry-on made for the United Airlines flight attendants for years. My stepfather manufactured uniforms for UA and ended up with some of their luggage. That little bag is indestructible.

I don't think a billfold is a very good comparison, it doesn't have the same level of wear as luggage. I have had a LV taiga leather billfold as a card case for the last several years, and it is in as new condition. If I were using leather luggage, I would likely have gone through at least one laptop bag and perhaps a carry-on during that time period, as I've logged about 750k frequent flyer miles during those 3 years.

I like the LV taiga leather, too. I believe that they have a new color out - brown. believe it or not. Well, I have logged far less miles than you and my leather luggage is nigh unto destroyed. So you're right. But I don't like nylon rollers. Even though I've got them and use them. Wouldn't buy another one.